Intellectual Perseverance
As described by the Critical
Thinking Community, Intellectual
Perseverance is “having a consciousness of the need to use intellectual
insights and truths in spite of difficulties, obstacles, and frustrations; firm
adherence to rational principles despite the irrational opposition of others; a
sense of the need to struggle with confusion and unsettled questions over an
extended period of time to achieve deeper understanding or insight” (2014).
In other words, Intellectual
Perseverance talks about overseeing the challenges of developing a rational
intellect. This definition goes beyond a person’s limit and it is connected to
life in general. Intellectual perseverance is the act of not giving up, and
facing fears of failure in front of criticizers. It takes a lot of
determination from an individual to get a better understanding of something. A
person’s mind processing needs to be challenged as much as possible in order to
have an outreaching mental capacity. It is very common for some people to
conform themselves with knowing just enough to have a normal life. Others have
passion for knowledge. They are eager to suffer a long fight between wanting to
know versus the time it takes to get there, and those that push hard, are
perseverant to a limitless intellectual. In addition, being intellectual
provides rationalization, which helps to be impartial when comes to making decisions.
Intellectual perseverance is a key
factor in the progress of my studies. I am aware of the fact that my
intelligence depends very firmly of how much I give in. As with anything you do
in life, perseverance takes you far to success. Perseverance is a good kind of
stubbornness, is an act that none should give out. Having intellectual
perseverance will help me to know that although I may find a momentary boundary
due to the unfamiliarity of a subject, I need to pursue insight and not desist.
I believe we are all afraid of change one way or another, and we tend to reject
the idea of implementing unfamiliar information to our brains. In my case, I
want to practice law, and I make a conscious decision to study harder to be
where I need to be. Intellectual perseverance is my focal point, is the map to
my treasure, and is the only way to achieve my goal.
Being a good leader goes hand in
hand with intellectual perseverance. Good leaders lead by example and never
give up. A good example I find is, Steve Jobs. He wanted to change the technology
world against the odds, against every single person who turn their backs on
him. Yet, Steve Jobs never gave up. He had many struggles along the way but he
knew what he wanted, how he wanted, and did it. Today, he is one of the world’s
most admirable leaders. A good leader shows the world a world with no boundaries,
provides hope for a better future and does not take “no” for an answer. Leadership
is an intellectual perseverance journey. Moreover, intellectual leaders are
always looking for answers to challenge those who are small-minded. My idea of
a good leader is that of a person who’s in constant pursue of intellectual
growth and feels the need to inspire that desire.
Figure 1.1.
